Consumer Column

Attorney General Jeff Landry's Office Educating College Students on Fair Housing

BATON ROUGE, LA – College students rushing to rent space this fall semester should find the time to read Attorney General Jeff Landry’s consumer guide on navigating Louisiana’s landlord and tenant laws.

General Landry said his office often receives questions and reports involving landlord and tenant disputes.

“Education is the best way to address these types of issues and gives consumers the answers they need,” said General Landry. “Our guide contains information on a variety of topics ranging from security deposits to eviction notices.”

The guide – Moving In, Moving Out, and Everything in Between – offers information on deposits, leases, maintenance and repairs, improvements, pet deposits, and eviction proceedings. There is even a sample checklist for tenants and landlords to note any faults present before occupancy. Details about military termination rights and federal housing laws are also outlined in the guide.

General Landry encourages both landlords and tenants to keep the following points in mind about a lease:

A lease is a contract which legally binds both parties to terms for a specified period of time. Breach of the lease by either party can result in serious legal and financial consequences.

The lease can be oral or written. It is better to have a written lease as proof of the terms of the contract. Always keep a copy of the signed lease. If there is no written or oral lease, a month to month lease is presumed to exist.

If more than one tenant co-signs the lease, any co-signer may be held responsible for nonpayment of the entire rent, damage or breach of contract.

Beware of leases which automatically renew for another term equal to the original term. To avoid automatic renewal, give written notice of your intention to vacate at least 30 days prior to expiration of the lease. Keep copies of all notices to vacate.

The destruction of the property without fault of either the landlord or the tenant does terminate the lease obligations.

The landlord and tenant guide can be found online at www.AGJeffLandry.com. Free copies are also available by calling Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-351-4889.

To help further educate college students on these issues, representatives from General Landry’s Office will be distributing information and answering questions at the following locations: